Weis turns to Campo to direct KU’s defense

New Kansas coach Charlie Weis made an interesting choice for his defensive coordinator, hiring former Dallas head coach Dave Campo to call his defenses.

Campo last coached college football in 1988 on Jimmy Johnson’s staff at Miami. Despite Campo’s lack of recent college coaching experience, Weis didn’t hesitate to make the critical hire that well could determine the success of his program.

“Dave Campo and I have known each other for a lot of years,” Weis said. “And what I’ve always admired about him, two qualities besides the fact I like the man, he’s a great teach and he’s very well respected by the players.

Campo was let go by the Dallas Cowboys after last season, ending a 23-season NFL coaching career. Since taking the Kansas job, he has spent much time researching the spread offenses he will be facing once Big 12 play begins. That diligence has convinced Weis that the Jayhawks’ defense will thrive under Campo’s direction.

“When you’re a great teacher who is well respected by the players, okay, you always have a chance. I knew that Dave would spend a lot of time?? he spent a lot of time on his own going and visiting some of his guys from around the country, okay, that play against the spread to get their ideas,” Weis said. “But at the end of the day it’s going to be Dave and the staff that we assembled around him that make those decisions of how best to do it.

“I think he spent a lot more time than he would have liked to going around to visit some different people to conceptually come up with what he wants to do. But the guy is an energetic, you know, an infectious person who is a great teacher and well respected by the players, and that always gives you a chance.”